RIVERFEST TO `BLOW THE ROOF' OFF CAPE

Peggy Barringer feels confident the 1994 Riverfest committee has assembled a potent enough entertainment package to "blow the roof off" of downtown Cape Girardeau June 10-11.

"I said let's just blow it out," said Barringer, who is in her final year as Riverfest President. "When I look at the kind of entertainment we have lined up, I feel very lucky to be a part of it."

Barringer has been involved in every Riverfest in some capacity since its inception.

She said it takes money to turn a weekend event such as Riverfest into a memorable experience. "If you want to put on a first-class show, you've got to pay for it," she said. "The better the show, the bigger the budget."

Corporate sponsorship has paved the way for one of the most ambitious Riverfest lineups in the 16-year history of the event.

"Without the corporate sponsors we just couldn't bring in someone like Martina McBride or the Ozark Mountain Daredevils," said Barringer. "What has really helped along with the corporate sponsors are the numerous sponsors of individual events."

Corporate sponsors include Capital Bank, St. Francis Medical Center, Southwestern Bell Telephone and Fox 23 KBSI.

Two new sponsors, Boyd Gaming and Lady Luck, have helped boost the Riverfest budget, which is at $96,900 this year, to an all-time high. Last year's Riverfest budget was $81,000.

"What has been a real shot in the arm this year is the help by Boyd Gaming and Lady Luck," said Barringer. "Boyd Gaming is the big sponsor for Martina McBride, which costs $8,000 alone," she said. "The Saturday night entertainment package costs $10,000."

Headlining musical entertainment on Friday, June 10, will be "Yesterday", a quartet whose impersonations of the Beatles won them rave reviews in concerts across the country. The group has appeared in Cape Girardeau twice before, playing both times to enthusiastic crowds.

"They like coming here so much, they kept calling us and asking when they could come back," said Barringer. "We had to pay them $3,500 the last time but this time they were willing to come for $2,500."

"Yesterday" will perform at 8:30 p.m. following a concert by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band. The group, which has been bringing the sounds of the Fab Four to life since 1986, puts on a fast-paced show that consistently plays to sell-out crowds.

On Saturday night, Martina McBride, currently number 10 on the country music charts, will be center stage at Riverfest. Her debut album, "The Time Has Come," won critical and commercial acclaim.

"We hoped to be able to bring the pirate ship here, but because of weather conditions it couldn't be done," said Barringer. "The great thing about that is that Boyd just stepped in and helped out with another entertainment project."

The skies above Riverfest will light up at approximately 9 p.m., just prior to McBride's performance, for the annual fireworks spectacular. Sponsor for the fireworks display is the Lady Luck gaming corporation.

Earlier in the evening on Saturday, the "Ozark Mountain Daredevils" will take the Riverfest stage. With eight albums selling over two million records and worldwide hits like "Jackie Blue" and "If You Want to Get to Heaven," the Daredevils have come a long way from the Missouri bars and porches where their music was born.

Another staple of the Riverfest is the annual 5-K and 1-mile runs, scheduled for June 10. The 12th annual run gets under way at 7:30 p.m. Start and finish point for the run is Boatmen's Bank parking lot at Broadway and Main in downtown Cape.

There will be a one-mile fitness walk and run and a quarter-mile road run. Approximately 400 entrants, from youths to senior citizens, crossed the finish line in 1993.

"The Riverfest Run and Midnight bicycle ramble attract people from here as well as out of town," said Barringer. "The Midnight Ramble was very popular last year and is expected to be a big hit this year."

The Midnight Ramble will begin at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State. Riders may choose between a 6-mile route or a 19-mile course. Riders may register at a booth at Main Street and Broadway or at the Show Me Center just prior to the ride.

The seventh annual Miss Riverfest Queen competition will be a highlight of activities on Saturday afternoon. Following an interview competition on Saturday morning, contestants will be presented in formal wear at 2 p.m. on the Riverfest main stage.

Another aspect of Riverfest that Barringer feels is an important link to the entire package is the historical aspect. "We're bringing back the mountain men that we had here last year, and on the courthouse we're going to have the Civil War group.

"We're hiring professional musicians who will play period music," said Barringer.

The American Mountain Men's 1840 Fur Trading Post with black powder shooting and hands-on activities and a Civil War encampment will be at the courthouse site.

The Civil War encampment will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday. The public is invited to visit and talk with soldiers on both Friday and Saturday.

Following a flag raising ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, there will be a drill and firing demonstration, followed at noon with troops preparing lunch. Another drill and firing demonstration will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed at 2 p.m. by a Civil War fashion show.

Other Riverfest '94 offerings include two blocks of outdoor arts and crafts booths offering everything from the unique to the useful.

Special performances by a brass band recreating the nostalgia of turn-of-the-century band concerts, numerous children's activities, including turtle races and a "best dressed" turtle contest, a large sampling of foods and beverages and carnival rides also will be part of the Riverfest '94 weekend.